9-22-18 - This was the first annual Michigan UFO CON-TACT, a conference all about aliens and UFOs. I was very excited to check out this unusual get together of UFO abductees, researchers, and fans of anything extraterrestrial. There aren't a lot of conferences dedicated to only beings from another planet. This one was within driving distance for me, a mere 5 hours to Houghton Lake, Michigan, which is located in the North Central part of the state.
THE LOCATION
The alien-themed shenanigans took place at Lakeside Resort and Conference Center right on the shores of Houghton Lake, the largest natural lake in Michigan. The photo above was taken on the back lawn of the property. This was the spectacular view from our hotel room.
Prices were reasonable at the hotel if you reserved with the conference block. We even had a room with a large whirlpool. The first thing I noticed when we entered our room was a musty smell. It seemed like the room wasn't used in a while. It was freezing! I turned on the heat and could tell that the heat hadn't been used since last winter. As soon as the room warmed up though, the smell seemed to leave. The view from our balcony was just stunning. The hotel itself is a little dated and worn out but it was certainly fine for the weekend.
Prices were reasonable at the hotel if you reserved with the conference block. We even had a room with a large whirlpool. The first thing I noticed when we entered our room was a musty smell. It seemed like the room wasn't used in a while. It was freezing! I turned on the heat and could tell that the heat hadn't been used since last winter. As soon as the room warmed up though, the smell seemed to leave. The view from our balcony was just stunning. The hotel itself is a little dated and worn out but it was certainly fine for the weekend.
|
THE SPEAKERSThere was a VIP meet and greet on Friday night but I did not purchase the extra ticket for that event.
Some of the speakers claimed to be abducted by aliens, had a UFO sighting, or were researchers. We heard Andrea Perron speak of her galactic family. Andrea is better known as one of the children who grew up in the Conjuring house but her passion is in all things alien. She told us that if you have blue or green eyes, have RH negative blood, and are a first born or only child, you are part of the galactic family. This confirmed I was in the right place, because I have all of those requirements. My favorite speaker of all time, John Tenney, talked about strange UFO stories, his incident with the secret service, and the importance of filing freedom of information act requests. Did you know you can file one on yourself? I'm not sure I want to know the results. I didn't have the schedule until close to the conference date so I didn't plan the weekend accordingly. I had no idea there was a UFO skywatch Saturday night on the lakeshore and that the speakers ran into the late evening. I planned to leave late afternoon since I had a 5 hour drive ahead of me. If I return, I will make sure to stay Saturday night. |
THE VENDORS
The vendor room left a lot to be desired. It was small and not many tables had anything worth buying. I hope as the conference grows it will attract more quality vendors. I did pick up some great crystals and incense from the Crystal Fairy, one of my favorite vendors. There was a Psychic Lounge filled with you guessed it, psychics. The Relaxation and Healing Room offered massages and what else I'm not sure because I didn't go in there. They didn't look very busy.
THE FOOD
The night we arrived we headed down to the bar and restaurant in the hotel. They were still busy from the VIP meet and greet but there were open tables. After a good 10 minutes someone finally came over, gave us an annoyed look that we wanted to be seated, said hang on a minute, came back only to tell us it was a 30 minute wait. We left. On our way out we stopped at the front desk for a recommendation for dinner. She told us to go to the Pour House, a short 10 minute drive to town. They had a lot of local beers on tap with quite a variety on the menu. I had a delicious raspberry beer. My husband had the perch and I had the blackberry chicken, recommended by the hotel front desk, both were great, service was excellent. Good choice.
For lunch during the conference we again attempted to go to the hotel restaurant. Luckily we got down there quick because the line was a mile long and the waitresses (at least there were more than one) looked frazzled. We were seated and didn't have to wait too long for the food, which was good, but waited forever for the bill.
For lunch during the conference we again attempted to go to the hotel restaurant. Luckily we got down there quick because the line was a mile long and the waitresses (at least there were more than one) looked frazzled. We were seated and didn't have to wait too long for the food, which was good, but waited forever for the bill.
THE VERDICT
I love that there's a conference dedicated to only aliens and UFOs. I think for the first year it went good. The location is beautiful. I would return in the future.